rs200 owner's manual - Rs Sailing

3. Damage
Hull damage falls into three categories:
a) SERIOUS e.g. large hole, split, crack or worse. Don't be too distressed!
Get the remains back to your RS dealer, most problems can be repaired by
the builder.
b) MEDIUM e.g. small hole or split, gel crazing. If this occurs during an event,
sailing can often be continued, as long as leaking can be prevented by drying
off the area and applying a strong adhesive tape. Sail repair tape, duck tape
or "denso" tape works well with the ends of the tape cut to a radius to prevent
the corners peeling back. CAUTION - if the damage has occurred on or close
to a heavily loaded point, then a close inspection should be made to ensure
joints or laminate are fit for the prevailing conditions. If in doubt, ask an RS
dealer. With this type of damage, get it fixed as soon as possible at your local
RS dealer.
c) SMALL e.g. chip, scratching. This type of damage is obviously not life
threatening but needs to be attended to, firstly to keep the boat looking good
and secondly to prevent water ingress into the laminate.
This type of damage can be rectified by you the owner, if you wish. Buy the
correct colour gel coat repair kit from your RS dealer and either wait for a dry
warm day outside or preferably put your boat in a dry warm place under
cover. Start by carefully drying the area to be repaired.
N E A T N E S S A N D C A R E
I S T H E S E C R E T O F A
G O O D R E P A I R !
If the damage is a single scratch or score mark, make sure it is clean by
gently re-scratching with the tip of a sharp craft knife. If the damage is more
general, etch up with a medium grade abrasive - say 80 grit (no wet or dry
paper because it will leave a grey discoloration). Blow off the dust, don't wipe;
this may leave fluff or contamination which will spoil the quality of the repair.
If your hand is not steady, mask around the prepared area with masking tape
(always remove the tape while the gel coat is liquid)
The gel coat you get from the dealer has a wax additive in it so, when it cures,
a tack free surface is produced. This tack free surface makes final shaping
and finishing of the repair easier but also means that if you have to recoat the
repair, the surface should be abraded or solvent wiped to remove the paraffin
wax which helps create the tack free surface.
Stir the tin of gel coat, then decant a small quantity into a suitable container
and add 2% catalyst. As a guide use 2 drops of catalyst (match head size) per
full tin lid measure from an RS gel coat tin. Mix thoroughly and carefully apply
to the repair area with a suitable instrument e.g. artist's brush, cocktail stick,
match stick etc.
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